Legislators adjourned the 2026 session on April 29 after upholding two vetoes issued by Gov. Janet Mills. Veto of a bill to seal certain criminal records (LD 1911) was narrowly sustained. Governor Mills said she objected to the scope of crimes covered by the legislation and the paperwork burden that would have been imposed on the understaffed judicial branch.

Veto of legislation to create the nation’s first statewide temporary moratorium on data center projects (LD 307) was sustained by a 20-vote margin. The governor said she supports a moratorium but insisted an exemption be included for the project underway at a former papermill in Jay.  LD 307 did not include the Jay exemption. Meanwhile, she issued an executive order that establishes a Maine Data Center Advisory Council similar to the coordinating council envisioned in LD 307.

For more information: www.maine.gov/governor/mills/newsroom

Paid Family & Medical Leave Benefits Underway

May 1 marked the date employees with approved applications could begin taking paid family and medical leave (PFML). Data issued last week by state officials suggests a gradual beginning for this most major stage of the new law that was enacted in 2023:

• Pre-applicants: 2,000
• Approved: 300
• Leave starting May 1: 102

For more information: www.maine.gov/paidleave/